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Soakerhose offers the
perfect delivery of water to plants: slowly, steady release at the soil
line. This ensures that water is not wasted. The slow release allows the
soil around plant roots to gradually absorb the water. And the proximity of
the hose to soil means that very little if any is lost to evaporation.
US distributor for Mrsoakerhose.com
The soaker hose is actually the
grandfather of the drip irrigation system. There is roughly 4 pounds of
recycled tire rubber in 100 feet of Soaker Hose. When you attach a soaker to
a regular hose and turn on the water supply, water seeps in sweat-like beads
from the hose along its entire length.
Soaker hose if used properly
can help us conserve water and at the same time enjoy beautiful flower
gardens, trees as well as great tasting home-grown fruits and vegetables.
Also use in raised planters, median strips, foundation stabilization,
hanging planters and more.
Installing the hose system in your
garden is simple enough for just about anyone to do. An underground soaker
system is the most effective, because you don’t lose any water to
evaporation, and you can soak the roots of plants at a deeper level.
Installing your soakers underground is most practical if you’re planning a
new garden. You can incorporate the hoses into the garden design, and bury
them as you plant your garden.
An aboveground soaker system is much
easier to install for an existing garden, and the hoses can easily be moved
whenever necessary. This type of soaker system is still extremely efficient
and effective. You simply place the hose along the ground around the base of
your plants, or better still, bury them under garden mulch. If the hose
crosses an area of the garden which doesn’t require watering, you simply
connect a section of regular hose.
A filter is highly recommended (Use at least 150 mesh filter). A calcium
inhibitor filter (same type of filter that is used on a misting system) is
also recommended for areas with hard water. For use on a well system, a
filter is a MUST so that particles that might clog the pores of the tubing
will be filtered out. Well water typically has particles of sediment in
suspension. Installing a back flow preventer is highly recommended to stop
dirty water backing up through the hose into your household drinking water
supply. This is simply a matter of installing a one way valve between the
water source or spigot and the first length of hose.
Pressure Regulator is a MUST since soaker hose is designed to work at low
pressure (we recommend the fiskars brand regulator).
Steps to installing a soaker
hose system
Tools & Materials
Plastic or metal stakes
MrSoakerhose (pre-measure the
path of the hose where you are going to lay it) soaker hose is sold only in
bulk, no fittings are attached/included.
Polytubing
Pressure Regulator is a MUST
since soaker hose is designed to work at low pressure.
Filter to keep particles from
clogging your soaker hose (minimum of 150 mesh).
Water timer (can be installed
later)
Y connector with shutoff,
splitters, fittings.
Lay Out the Hose in Your Garden Beds Position soaker hoses throughout
the garden near each plant
within 6 to 12 inches of the base. On slopes, run across the slope, not up
and down. In perennial beds, keep hoses about 18 inches (sandy soils) to 24
inches (clay soil) apart. For annual plants space the runs closer, 12-18
inches apart, to make sure water reaches their shallow roots. Stake the hose
into place with stakes wherever it needs it to secure the hose's position.
Hide the Hose After
testing the soaker hose to see that it waters the area well, you can cover it with 2
inches (or more) of mulch, such as wood chips, bark, leaves, or compost, or
even decorative rocks. The mulch keeps water from evaporating and helps
spread the water flow. It also helps protect the hose from the sun. Have you
ever felt the temperature of water that was just sitting in a hose out in
the sun? It's hot! Can be used above or below ground. Soaker hose
IS NOT
for lawn areas.
Stakes Use to secure
soaker hose
Watering times Start out
by running your soaker hose for about 40 minutes once a week, or 20 minutes
twice a week for sandy soils and annual plants and gardens that have
shallower roots. The goal is to wet the soil in the plant’s root zone. You
can tell if the plant is getting enough water by digging a hole with a
trowel to see if the root zone is wet (wait a while after watering before
you check, so the water has time to soak in). Leaves may droop a little on
hot days but if they stay droopy after the hottest part of the day, they’re
probably too dry. Drooping can also be a sign of over watering but again,
check the soil first! Once you’ve got the timing figured out, attach and set
a timer to the system. This will make it possible for the watering system to
work even when you are on vacation.
Trees:
Using a soaker hose encircle the
tree with the hose beginning at the drip line. Add a circle of soaker
hose every 2' inward from the drip line throughout the root zone. Try to
water the soil areas directly beneath the foliage and shaded by the tree. Do
not water beyond the drip-line and do not water closer than 3 feet to the
trunk base on established trees.
Hanging planters, pots and
window boxes: Large, hard to move barrels, pots and window boxes will do
better with a slow running soaker hose. Water regularly as the dry
season goes on. Hanging plants may require watering more frequently as the
wind and sun dry them out. During exceptionally hot weather (80's or 90's)
hanging baskets may need watering daily, or even twice daily if the basket
has limited soil area. Small 1/4" soaker hose in a loop works great for
these small areas. By using a 1/4" in-line valve you can regulate the flow
to your planter for maximum effectiveness. Like the 1/2" soaker, ALWAYS use
a regulator.
MrSoakerhose for foundations: Expansive soils act like a sponge. As they
absorb water, they swell and as they lose water they shrink. Soils tend to
dry out (and shrink) during the summer and to absorb water (and swell)
during the winter and spring. The goal of a foundation repair preventive
maintenance watering program is to maintain a constant level of moisture in
the soil under the house and foundation. The best way to water a foundation
is to place a soaker hose from one to two feet from the edge of the
foundation. Placing the hose a short distance from the foundation allows the
water to soak into the soil evenly. The hose should not be placed against
the foundation. When soil has dried and cracked, water can travel along the
cracks for several feet in all directions. If the soil around your
foundation is dried and cracked, then water placed next to the foundation
will run through the cracks and accumulate at the bottom of the grade beam
(the thick portion of the foundation that is under the exterior walls). In
some cases, an accumulation of water in the soil at the base of a foundation
can cause the soil to lose some of its load-bearing capacity. If the soil
loses enough load-bearing capacity, the house will sink into the ground.
Maintaining Your Soaker Hose
System Once or twice a year, unscrew the end caps and flush out any
accumulated sediment. Flushing it at the start of the year will help you
check for leaks, and ensure that it’s not plugged. Make sure everyone
working in the garden knows the soaker is there under the mulch, so they
don’t accidentally damage it. Most cuts or nicks can be repaired with
couplings. Soaker Hose is UV stabilized - won't freeze in the cold or crack
in the sun.
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